Chinese word

收买

Pronunciation

Pinyinshōu mǎi

Meaning

  • verbbribe

Example

他试图用钱收买那个官员。tā shì tú yòng qián shōu mǎi nà ge guān yuán

He tried to bribe that official with money.

Illustration for 收买 (bribe)

More examples

他想用礼物收买村里的长老。tā xiǎng yòng lǐ wù shōu mǎi cūn lǐ de zháng lǎo

He tried to bribe the village elders with gifts.

Core concept

Money or another benefit is used to bring a person, group, or source of support onto one's side.

Common phrases

  • 收买人心shōu mǎi rén xīn

    buy people's loyalty

  • 收买支持者shōu mǎi zhī chí zhě

    bribe supporters

Similar words

贿赂huì lù: Give money or another improper benefit to influence someone's actions, especially an official's.
买通mǎi tōng: Use payment to get someone to cooperate or do what is wanted.
拉拢lā lǒng: Attract people as allies with persuasive words, kindness, or useful benefits.
笼络lǒng luò: Keep people on one's side by offering favors, advantages, or other benefits.

Definition in Chinese

用金钱或其他利益取得他人的支持、忠诚或从属，常含贿赂或不正当影响的意味。yòng jīn qián huò qí tā lì yì qǔ dé tā rén de zhī chí zhōng chéng huò cóng shǔ cháng hán huì lù huò bú zhèng dāng yíng xiǎng de yì wèi

Word origin

收买 (shōumǎi, "bribe") combines 收 (shōu, "receive") with 买 (mǎi, "buy"), presenting another person's loyalty as something gained through payment.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this verb often signals improper influence, so ordinary purchases or fair business deals normally use more neutral buying verbs.

Other meanings

  • buy outverb
  • buy upverb

Word lists with this word